Darcy in Hollywood

It was too bad; he really enjoyed her company, but Josh and Roy would never approve her for the role of his girlfriend.

Without conscious thought, Darcy’s body navigated the pool deck, dodging people and lounge chairs until he was at Elizabeth’s side. Surprisingly, she was talking with Caroline, who was the picture of Hollywood decadence, sipping a martini so designer that it should have been wearing a label and lounging in a position that maximized everyone’s view of her swimsuit, little more than a set of complicated overlapping straps.

Elizabeth wasn’t lounging but sat on a chair, both sandal-clad feet on the deck. While Caroline greeted Darcy with looks of sultry invitation, Elizabeth merely gave him a tight smile. It must be hell fighting her attraction to him.

Every month Caroline probably spent thousands on her appearance: mani/pedis, moisturizers, facials, masks, gym memberships, makeup, hair stylists, and clothing. Elizabeth might have been wearing some lip gloss, but he wasn’t sure. She should be a plain jane next to Caroline’s buffed and polished perfection, but Darcy had the opposite reaction. Elizabeth appeared real, genuine, and human while Caroline’s beauty exuded a look-but-don’t-touch vibe so strong that she might as well have been on the movie screen.

The two women were in the middle of a discussion when he arrived. “You are the only major star who hasn’t agreed to participate in the program…”

Ah, Elizabeth must be trying to convince Caroline to mentor one of the homeless teens. He could have told her not to bother. Caroline was incapable of guilt—since that would first require her to care. And really it was for the best. A few days with Caroline would not be good for any teen’s mental health.

“Hello, Will,” Caroline greeted him languidly. “Beth is trying to convince me to join the mentoring program, but there’s minimal press coverage.”

A muscle in Elizabeth’s jaw clenched. “The primary purpose isn’t PR; it’s to help these kids.”

Caroline stretched like a cat in the sun, displaying her perfect figure. “I’m not sure it’s worth my time.”

Darcy couldn’t help staring at Elizabeth’s legs, long and smooth and perfect. He dropped onto the vacant space beside her on the lounge chair. She flinched a little. Perhaps touching him was too great a temptation.

“It’s a pretty minimal time commitment,” Elizabeth said.

Caroline gave Elizabeth her haughtiest glare. “It’s all very well for you, but some of us weren’t cut out to be the do-gooder type.”

Elizabeth gave her a level look. “I thought everyone was the do-gooder type. Unless you’re like the second coming of Hitler.”

Darcy tilted his head toward Caroline. “I suppose that is a possibility.”

Caroline gave him a poisonous smile. “Ha, fucking, ha.”

Elizabeth laughed, so Darcy didn’t mind. “How is your mentoring working out, Will?” she asked him.

Caroline sat up. “You call him Will?” she sneered from behind her sunglasses.

“What else should I call him?”

“Mr. Darcy. He’s an award-winning movie star, and you’re a PA. Really.”

Elizabeth turned a faux smile on Darcy. “Or would you prefer ‘your majesty’?”

Darcy would have cheerfully strangled Caroline. “Will is fine. Will is perfect.”

He couldn’t help noticing a bead of perspiration trickling down Elizabeth’s neck and disappearing into her cleavage. Don’t stare. Don’t stare. He was staring. He could only pray he wasn’t blushing.

Fortunately, Elizabeth didn’t seem to notice his fixation. “You had Garrett with you for a whole week, didn’t you?” She gestured to Caroline. “Not that you need to take someone that long.”

Caroline nibbled her olive. “I bet you’re glad that’s done.”

Hanging with Caroline was beginning to feel more and more like rubbing sandpaper over his skin. Not only did she treat Elizabeth like a peon, but she was also wrong about the program.

“Actually,” Darcy said, “Garrett will be returning on Monday.”

Caroline’s eyes widened. “You are a glutton for punishment,” she drawled.

“Not at all. I actually hired him to be my new personal assistant.”

Both women gaped at him. “What happened to Kurt?” Caroline asked.

“I told the supervisor that I no longer needed Kurt’s services, so he will be returned to the general PA pool. If they keep him on.”